5. ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION

4.5 Clubs shall take all necessary actions for their players and officials to be bound by and comply with all the aforementioned statutes, regulations, rules, codes, protocols, circulars, directives, decisions, stipulations and requirements.

4.6 Refrain from any illegal, immoral or unethical behavior that damages, or could damage the integrity and reputation of football and must cooperate fully with Concacaf at all time in efforts to prevent, investigate and sanction such behavior.

4.7 All clubs who have entered The Competition shall not refer (directly or indirectly) to its team as an inferior team publicly or in the print and/or electronic media.

5. ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION

5.1 The specific entry criteria for each Association or regional qualifying competition will be agreed upon between Concacaf and each Association in question.

5.1.1 Belize’s qualification criteria:

5.1.1.1 Tournament allocations: One (1) club. Tournaments per Year: Two (2) 5.1.1.1.1 Opening (Apertura): September – December 5.1.1.1.2 Closing (Clausura): January – May 5.1.1.1.3 Participating Clubs: seven (7)

5.1.1.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.1.2.1 Champion for the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening season 2021-2022. 5.1.1.2.2 BLZ 1 – Qualifies to the Preliminary Round for the 2022 Concacaf League.

5.1.2 Canada’s qualification criteria:

5.1.2.1 Tournament Allocations: Two (2) Clubs. Tournaments per year: One (1) 5.1.2.1.1 Participating clubs: Eight (8)

5.1.2.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.2.2.1 CAN 1 – Participates in the upcoming edition of the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League

5.1.2.2.2 CAN 2 – Participates in the upcoming edition of the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round.

5.1.3 Caribbean qualification criteria:

5.1.3.1 Region qualifies three (3) clubs to the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League via the Caribbean Club Championship (CCC). The Caribbean Club Championship is an annual tournament contested between the recognized professional and semiprofessional Caribbean Member Associations.

5.1.3.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.3.2.1 CCC 1 - The champion will then advance to the Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. 5.1.3.2.2 CCC 2, CCC 3, and CCC 4 - The second, third, and fourth place teams will advance to the Scotiabank Concacaf League. CCC 2 qualifies directly to the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16, while CCC 3 and CCC 4 qualify directly to the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round.

5.1.4 Costa Rica’s qualification criteria:

5.1.4.1 Tournament Allocations: Three (3) Clubs. Tournaments per year: Two (2) 5.1.4.1.1 Opening (Apertura): August – December 5.1.4.1.2 Closing (Clausura): January – June 5.1.4.1.3 Participating Clubs: Twelve (12)

5.1.4.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.4.2.1 If the same club wins both the Opening and Closing seasons it will be ranked #1: 5.1.4.2.2 The non-champion club which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the following will be Club #3. 5.1.4.2.3 If two (2) different clubs win the Opening and Closing seasons: 5.1.4.2.3.1 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #1; 5.1.4.2.3.2 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the 2nd most total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #2;

5.1.4.2.3.3 The non-champion club which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #3. 5.1.4.2.3.4 If the clubs are tied on points, then the club with the best goal differential from the combined Opening and Closing seasons will be the higherranked club. 5.1.4.2.3.5 If the clubs are still tied, then the club having scored the most goals in the combined opening and closing seasons will be ranked as club #1. 5.1.4.2.4 CRC 1 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.4.2.5 CRC 2 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.4.2.6 CRC 3 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round

5.1.5 El Salvador’s qualification criteria:

5.1.5.1 Tournament allocations: Two (2) Clubs. Tournaments per year: Two (2) 5.1.5.1.1 Opening (Apertura): August – December 5.1.5.1.2 Closing (Clausura): January – May 5.1.5.1.3 Participating Clubs: Twelve (12)

5.1.5.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.5.2.1 If the same club wins both the Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #1: 5.1.5.2.2 If the losing finalist is the same from both Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #2 and the best team from the semifinals which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #3; 5.1.5.2.3 If two (2) different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3. 5.1.5.2.4 If two (2) different clubs win the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin: 5.1.5.2.4.1 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #1;

5.1.5.2.4.2 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the 2nd most total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #2; 5.1.5.2.4.3 If the losing finalist is the same from both seasons, it will be ranked #3. 5.1.5.2.4.4 If two (2) different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3 5.1.5.2.4.5 If the clubs are tied on points, then the club with the best goal differential from the combined Opening and Closing seasons will be the higherranked club. 5.1.5.2.4.6 If the clubs are still tied, then the club having scored the most goals in the combined opening and closing seasons will be ranked as club #1. 5.1.5.2.5 SLV 1 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.5.2.6 SLV 2 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round 5.1.5.2.7 SLV 3 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round

5.1.6 Guatemala’s qualification criteria:

5.1.6.1 Tournament allocations: Three (3) clubs. Tournaments per year: Two (2) 5.1.6.1.1 Opening (Apertura): August – December 5.1.6.1.2 Closing (Clausura): January – May 5.1.6.1.3 Participating Clubs: Twelve (12)

5.1.6.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.6.2.1 If the same club wins both the Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #1: 5.1.6.2.2 If the losing finalist is the same from both Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #2 and the best team from the semifinals which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #3; 5.1.6.2.3 If two (2) different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin, then

the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3. 5.1.6.2.4 If two (2) different clubs win the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin: 5.1.6.2.4.1 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #1; 5.1.6.2.4.2 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the 2nd most total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #2; 5.1.6.2.4.3 If the losing finalist is the same from both seasons, it will be ranked #3. 5.1.6.2.4.4 If two (2) different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3 5.1.6.2.4.5 If the clubs are tied on points, then the club with the best goal differential from the combined Opening and Closing seasons will be the higherranked club. 5.1.6.2.4.6 If the clubs are still tied, then the club having scored the most goals in the combined opening and closing seasons will be ranked as club #1. 5.1.6.2.5 GUA 1 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.6.2.6 GUA 2 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round 5.1.6.2.7 GUA 3 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round

5.1.7 Honduras’ qualification criteria:

5.1.7.1 Tournament allocations: Three (3) clubs. Tournaments per year: two (2) 5.1.7.1.1 Opening (Apertura): August – December 5.1.7.1.2 Closing (Clausura): January – May 5.1.7.1.3 Participating Clubs: Ten (10)

5.1.7.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.7.2.1 If the same club wins both the Opening and Closing

playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #1: 5.1.7.2.2 If the losing finalist is the same from both Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #2 and the best team from the semifinals which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #3; 5.1.7.2.3 If two different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3. 5.1.7.2.4 If two (2) different clubs win the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin: 5.1.7.2.4.1 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #1; 5.1.7.2.4.2 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the 2nd most total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #2; 5.1.7.2.4.3 If the losing finalist is the same from both seasons, it will be ranked #3. 5.1.7.2.4.4 If two (2) different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3 5.1.7.2.4.5 If the clubs are tied on points, then the club with the best goal differential from the combined Opening and Closing seasons will be the higherranked club. 5.1.7.2.4.6 If the clubs are still tied, then the club having scored the most goals in the combined opening and closing seasons will be ranked as club #1. 5.1.7.2.5 HON 1 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.7.2.6 HON 2 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.7.2.7 HON 3 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round

5.1.8 Panama’s qualification criteria:

5.1.8.1 Tournament allocations: Three (3) clubs. Tournaments per year: two (2) 5.1.8.1.1 Opening (Apertura): July – December 5.1.8.1.2 Opening (Apertura): January – May 5.1.8.1.3 Participating Clubs: twelve (12)

5.1.8.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.8.2.1 If the same club wins both the Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #1: 5.1.8.2.2 If the losing finalist is the same from both Opening and Closing playoffs/Final Round Robin, it will be ranked #2 and the best team from the semifinals which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #3; 5.1.8.2.3 If two different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3. 5.1.8.2.4 If two different clubs win the Opening and Closing playoffs/ Final Round Robin: 5.1.8.2.4.1 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #1; 5.1.8.2.4.2 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the 2nd most total points from the Opening and Closing tournaments will be Club #2; 5.1.8.2.4.3 If the losing finalist is the same from both seasons, it will be ranked #3. 5.1.8.2.4.4 If two different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2 and the other will be Club #3 5.1.8.2.4.5 If the clubs are tied on points, then the club with the best goal differential from the combined Opening and Closing seasons will be the higherranked club. 5.1.8.2.4.6 If the clubs are still tied, then the club having scored the most goals in the combined opening and closing seasons will be ranked as club #1. 5.1.8.2.5 PAN 1 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League

Round of 16 5.1.8.2.6 PAN 2 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.8.2.7 PAN 3 – Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round

5.1.9 Nicaragua’s qualification criteria:

5.1.9.1 Tournament allocations: Two (2) clubs. Tournaments per year: Two (2) 5.1.9.1.1 Opening (Apertura): August – December 5.1.9.1.2 Closing (Clausura): January – May 5.1.9.1.3 Participating Clubs: Ten (10)

5.1.9.2 Qualification to Concacaf: 5.1.9.2.1 If the same club wins both the Opening and Closing playoffs it will be ranked #1: 5.1.9.2.2 If the losing finalist is the same from both tournaments, it will be ranked #2; 5.1.9.2.3 If two (2) different clubs finished as the losing finalists for the Opening and Closing playoffs, then the losing finalist which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2. 5.1.9.2.4 If two (2) different clubs win the Opening and Closing playoffs: 5.1.9.2.4.1 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the highest total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #1; 5.1.9.2.4.2 The seasonal champion which has accumulated the 2nd most total points from the Opening and Closing seasons will be Club #2; 5.1.9.2.4.3 If the clubs are tied on points, then the club with the best goal differential from the combined Opening and Closing seasons will be the higherranked club. 5.1.9.2.4.4 If the clubs are still tied, then the club having scored the most goals in the combined opening and closing seasons will be ranked as club #1. 5.1.9.2.5 NCA 1 - Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 5.1.9.2.6 NCA 2 - Participates in the Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round

5.2 In the event of any disagreement in establishing or applying the entry criteria, Concacaf will determine and apply the entry criteria at its sole discretion.

5.3 As a matter of principle, clubs will earn the right to be entered by their Association into The Competition through:

5.3.1 Fair play and sporting merit;

5.3.2 Compliance with their Association’s Regional Club Licensing requirements;

5.3.3 Financial good standing with their Association and Concacaf.

5.3.4 In the event of a disagreement establishing the entry criteria, Concacaf will determine and apply the entry criteria at its sole discretion.

5.3.5 Qualified clubs must submit:

5.3.5.1 The signed participation agreement (sent via their Association) by the date specified by Concacaf, at which point they will be officially registered for The Competition.

5.3.5.2 All other documents required by the dates specified as per Concacaf.

5.3.6 Upon entering The Competition each club agrees:

5.3.6.1 To play in The Competition until their elimination;

5.3.6.2 To ensure that their league schedule does not conflict with The Competition’s dates and times as determined and approved by Concacaf;

5.3.6.3 To field their strongest team throughout The Competition;

5.3.6.4 To ensure that its home venue meets the criteria established in section 13 and 15 of these Regulations;

5.3.6.5 To play all scheduled matches on dates and times as determined by Concacaf and set forth in accordance with these Regulations;